Gavin Lloyd Edkins disappeared on May 19, 1996, while piloting a red and white two-seater Cessna 150 on a solo training flight from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, to Red Deer, Alberta. The flight required a fuel stop in Fort McMurray; the last communication from Gavin was at 1:30 p.m., shortly after departing Fort McMurray. His plane was later reported overdue and never arrived in Red Deer.

An immediate air and ground search covered the remote boreal terrain between Fort McMurray and Red Deer, but no trace of Gavin or the aircraft was found and the official search was eventually called off. He was 36 at the time; described as white, 5 feet 8 inches, 155 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and burn scars on his right forearm. He was wearing a black cotton long-sleeve shirt, blue denim Lee pants, black and grey leather cowboy boots, and jewelry including a gold earring, a gold pinky ring, a silver Timex watch and a gold chain with a float plane charm.

His family continues to seek closure and believes locating the aircraft is key to understanding what happened. If anyone has information about Gavin, his flight or the route between Fort McMurray and Red Deer, please come forward.